Astronomers have found the most distant and energetic “odd radio circle” ever detected — a massive double-ringed radio structure nearly 10 billion years old. The discovery, made with the help of citizen scientists using LOFAR, challenges theories that these cosmic rings are caused by black hole mergers. Instead, researchers suggest galactic superwinds may be to blame.
Astronomers have found the most distant and energetic “odd radio circle” ever detected — a massive double-ringed radio structure nearly 10 billion years old. The discovery, made with the help of citizen scientists using LOFAR, challenges theories that these cosmic rings are caused by black hole mergers. Instead, researchers suggest galactic superwinds may be to blame. Astronomers have found the most distant and energetic “odd radio circle” ever detected — a massive double-ringed radio structure nearly 10 billion years old. The discovery, made with the help of citizen scientists using LOFAR, challenges theories that these cosmic rings are caused by black hole mergers. Instead, researchers suggest galactic superwinds may be to blame.